Restyle shimpaku

[Shibui]

I've been looking at this shimpaku juniper thinking it could be improved by restyling.



I already have some plans for it but if you feel like throwing some ideas into the mix feel free.

 

[LeoMame]

What about developing the tree only from the left branch and make the current apex into a scenographic tenjin? you can also wire this new tenjin a bit less vertical and direct it to te left as well, following the directionality of the whole bonsai.

In my mind kinda makes sense, in reality I don't know if it's too much foliage you'd remove... might as well do it step by step.

 

[Srt8madness]

I have a juni that looks similar, which I've no idea what to do with, so will watch closely

 

[namnhi]

I've been looking at this shimpaku juniper thinking it could be improved by restyling.
View attachment 454949
View attachment 454950View attachment 454951View attachment 454952View attachment 454953

I already have some plans for it but if you feel like throwing some ideas into the mix feel free.

I think you could jin the upper branch. The curvy on the lower trunk seem to fit the tree better... my observation.

 

[Fidur]

So you can have different points of view, I propose you this easy one...

 

[bwaynef]

I'd start by leveraging one of those jins to anchor a wire (not wrapped) to bring the stretch above the spiral down further. Then looks like building an apex would be simple.

 

[0soyoung]

Yep, compact it.
Step 1 = always compact it.
Then, go from there.

 

[Shogun610]

I've been looking at this shimpaku juniper thinking it could be improved by restyling.
View attachment 454949
View attachment 454950View attachment 454951View attachment 454952View attachment 454953

I already have some plans for it but if you feel like throwing some ideas into the mix feel free.

Are you set on the planting angle and the front.

 

[Shogun610]

So you can have different points of view, I propose you this easy one...

View attachment 454988

That design extends the growth.. you need to compact it , and fill in negative spaces, and bring the foliage closer to the trunk line and add dimension.

 

[Shibui]

That design extends the growth.. you need to compact it , and fill in negative spaces, and bring the foliage closer to the trunk line and add dimension.

All points of view are valid as far as I'm concerned. Some people seem to have a very narrow view of what bonsai should look like but I much prefer to look at a wider range of points of view.

Are you set on the planting angle and the front.

As I posted I wondered whether anyone would ask for alternative sides. I'll try to get some shots for you in the interests of seeing the entire thing but, yes, I'm pretty sure the view shown gives the best look at the trunk and existing branches. Will be interesting to see if others see it different. Fingers crossed I can remember and get time to take more shots tomorrow.

 

[bangsaturday]

How does one compact a Juniper?

Do you trim the end branches OR simply trim at the locations where you want to shape?

For example. An existing protruding branch. To cut in the middle or the end?

 

[MichaelS]

Hi Neil. Fancy meeting you here!
I would jin off the top and drag the left part round to the front to face to the right. (You don't even need to wire it, just make a heavy hook and clamp it to the rest of the tree)
But that's just me.......
Or not, whatever.....

 

[Shibui]

Some more shots of this tree from various sides and angles for those you think there may be a better side to use as front.

How does one compact a Juniper?

Depends what you start with. Trimming will obviously reduce the tree a little but my guess is that @shogun means to tighten up bends or make even more bends in trunk or branches to reduce actual trunk height and length.
It would be hard to bend the main trunk of this one because not only is the trunk thick (there are advanced techniques though) it also has shari running along one side so the dead wood would make it even harder to bend. those branches could be bent reasonable easy though.

Hi Neil. Fancy meeting you here!

Hi Michael. Long time no see.
You've just realised I'm on here too?

 

[Shibui]

Thanks for all your inputs.
@LeoMame and @namnhi had similar ideas to me.
The problems I could see were:

• Trunk splits and goes in 2 completely different directions. The tree does not know if it is upright or semi cascade.
• That junction is 2 equally thick trunks going completely opposite direction, 180 degrees apart. That sort of junction interrupts the flow of eyes through the tree.

Easiest fix is to remove one of the main trunks. I decided the upright one would be a bit too tall and spindly so opted to keep the left side going down. I also have plenty of upright trees but not so many decent semi-cascades.

Today I had some time so I've made the changes.


Reduced the upper part to a jin then wired it and bent around to echo the direction of the remaining trunk.
Wired the remaining trunk down a little more and brought it slightly toward the front.
Removed quite a few small redundant branchlets to make some spaces and wired most of the remainder to conform better with the trunk direction.
That's enough for one sitting - for me and the tree. I'll let it rest for a couple of months now then maybe complete the wiring of smaller branches.

Turning the tree slightly seems to give a better view of the trunk but pushes the end of the cascade trunk further back.


I'll check next time to see if I can get the end of that trunk around enough to make that the next front.

 

[Ugo]

Very good first styling @Shibui , I found it really bring out the feminine character of the tree, showing all the curves, Jin, Shari... Yup good job for selecting the proper side and character of this tree.
Only thing is I think the tree would be improved by bringing the apex back to the right! and I would try to bend the newly created Jin at an angle to leave space to new apex.
You could also reduce the sashieda to bring more balance to the newly created Jin up top that would ¨match¨ its angle.
I would try to recenter the weight closer to the right side.

I don't know what you think or if I explain myself correctly but if you want a sketch it would be my pleasure!

 

[Shibui]

Only thing is I think the tree would be improved by bringing the apex back to the right! and I would try to bend the newly created Jin at an angle to leave space to new apex.
You could also reduce the sashieda to bring more balance to the newly created Jin up top that would ¨match¨ its angle.
I would try to recenter the weight closer to the right side.

I understand there will always be different opinions. That's always good provided givers of opinions don't insist that their opinions are the only possible way.
To fully understand your ideas we both need to make sure we understand what is meant by 'apex' (in relation to a cascade) and 'sashieda'. Maybe a sketch would reduce the chance of possible misunderstanding of terms.

There's plenty of development still to come with this tree. Foliage pads need to be developed and defined to properly appreciate where I hope the current styling is headed but I'd rather give the tree some rest for a couple of months through spring after the current work.

 

[Ugo]

I understand there will always be different opinions. That's always good provided givers of opinions don't insist that their opinions are the only possible way.
To fully understand your ideas we both need to make sure we understand what is meant by 'apex' (in relation to a cascade) and 'sashieda'. Maybe a sketch would reduce the chance of possible misunderstanding of terms.

There's plenty of development still to come with this tree. Foliage pads need to be developed and defined to properly appreciate where I hope the current styling is headed but I'd rather give the tree some rest for a couple of months through spring after the current work.

Hello Shuibui!

I am very satisfied with your explanation above!
Indeed these are only constructive comments and of course which are not the absolute truth but an interpretation, as soon as I saw your face choice for this tree this styling came by itself...1!
Im passionate about Bonsai because it offers infinite possibilities, it would not be logical for me to adopt a single vision but on the opposite I like when everyone sits around and chime in for a good design discussion so please don't take any of my comment as a insult to your previous work or future vision of the tree, never.

Hope this quick sketch allows you to see one other future possibilite for this tree:

 

[Shibui]

Thanks for the drawing to explain the features you suggested.
Your design is close to how I originally styled this tree though your suggested lower branch is better than I managed to make in real life.

One of the reasons for changing styling for this one is that I have several other shimpaku with similar tall, upright shape so the opportunity for something different was too good to pass.

 

[Ugo]

Hi!

No problem my pleasure!

I have to tell you the truth! My sensei asked me to find trees, evaluate them to the best of my knowledge and come up with a basic design without getting superficial and letting the 'natural' dictate its shape.
That's basically why I made this tree ''classic'' looking, as its hard for me to not fall in the pit of putting my ''ego'' in the design and overdo things..
Not an easy work for me so I need to practice!!...

In short! If you don't see any inconvenience, I will use 1 photo of your tree to show my vision of the evolution of your project as it was at that time.
Of course I have to justify why I would adopt this design but not in relation with my will or my personal design taste but with what the tree ''dictate''
Just to let you know everything remains anonymous.
Has we said earlier there no right or wrong answer simply a different vision, and I totally understand your choice of design which is another great solution for this tree!

Keep up the good work!
Ugo

 

[Shibui]

A couple more of these upright, twisted trunk shimpaku junipers.



Looking at the photos I see that both these trees are quite symmetrical - lower branches at the same height. I think the twisted trunks deserve more dynamic styling so I'll be taking closer look at both those trees to see if I can formulate a plan for change.